Helpful tips for pond management needed

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
shelbyzman;3540430; said:
I think water quality is not going to be an issue with that big of a pond. Like you mentioned, the lack of oxygen when it is hot will probably be the biggest concern. I don't know what you can do though. I have seen some fish pond farms where they hook up an engine and have some turbine looking thing turn in the water to keep oxygen in the water. This probably isn't a very practical solution for you though :(
Click to expand...

Agree Thanks
I seen some big pumps for fountains but they cost alot.

oswego Put some lime in the Pond this winter and then fertilize it during the year next year to keep the food chain in good shape.

Why don't you build a Deck up against the pond instead of a Dock. Even let it hang out over the water a couple of feet.

Also you could get a pump to spray to help with any oxygen issues in the hottest part of the year and maybe use the same pump to irrigate your garden with some pond water. The Nitrates would give those veggies a treat. oswegoPut some lime in the Pond this winter and then fertilize it during the year next year to keep the food chain in good shape.

Why don't you build a Deck up against the pond instead of a Dock. Even let it hang out over the water a couple of feet.

Also you could get a pump to spray to help with any oxygen issues in the hottest part of the year and maybe use the same pump to irrigate your garden with some pond water. The Nitrates would give those veggies a treat.
Click to expand...

OK....Thank you.
I planned on irrigating when there has not been adequate rainfall.
I use to use old tank water when doing waterchanges in my plans/flowers.

I like the deck idea...I would think that would last longer out of the water also.
great ideas

oswego I use floating fingerling catfish feed. Its small enough for the bream to eat and has more protein than the regular catfish feed.

If you can add some forage fish then the bass would not eat as many of your bream.

The shiners at the bait store would work, add them in the spring and they will spawn in the summer and help feed the bass.
Click to expand...

Can I use dog food or something cheap?
That is a big pond,I hate to think how much it would cost in fish/catfood to feed it.
Again great ideas,Thanks

trojan09 i would build a deck. does your kids go swimming in that pond? i would!
Click to expand...

My kids are too young yet to swim in the pond.They have a kiddy pool.
Swimming lesson are a must also.We moved from Ohio and swimming in mostly only done indoors.
When they get older I am sure I will have problems in the summer keeping them out.....LOL

hardson Just imagine how big a tiger muskie or some type of gar would grow to be in there,but one of those would eat up the other fish.
Click to expand...

LOL :ROFL:
I can see my 12 year old son Dillion out fishing and get one of those hooked.....LOL....:ROFL:
Fast way to clear out the pond of All fish....LOL

trojan09 dude gars and muskie would prob. do well in there! i would so get like some gars and stergeon for that pond. but like u said the fish would get eatin:WHOA:
Click to expand...
LOL
Yes sounds fun but the creak floods into the pond and the fish can escape into the creek.Would be bad for the local fish :eek:
Until I fix the flooding issues I will not even stock the pond.Would be a waste.

krichardson Yeah,nothing like monsterfish with enough space.
Click to expand...

So True.....LOL

trojan09 how deep is your pond?
Click to expand...

The pond was dug out a couple years ago and the previous owners says it is over 10 foot in the middle.My son who is 5'4" swam around in the pond and never hit bottom.He tried to dip down to find the bottom but did not hit it.
There is a shelf on one side and all the other 3 side are deap drop offs.

I don't have a boat so I can't drop a line in the middle to find out.

Maybe next year I will go swimming......LOL

Hwom91As far as oxygen is concerned you could always get a wind turbine type of device. I saw one on drs foster and smith. They arnt the cheepest thing in the world but they will last forever.
Click to expand...

Yeah I looked at some fountain pumps and they want a arm and a leg for the big ones.
If I could find some DIY plans for something that will aggitate the water....

Thanks I will check out the link.



Thank you all :)
 
I just priced a bag of fingerling catfish food yesterday, 50 lbs for 19.95.
You would just be giving supplemental food, and its fun watching the fish come up to feed.
 
The windmills look great, but up front costs and inconsistant winds would worry me.

Check craigslist for a dock and pumps.

A bog filter would be real nice Clark. Help areate, keep it cool and clean. Let the plants along the egde grow. It will help keep that heron at bay...
 
ddyerfamily, it has been a while. I just got my computer back on a little while ago also. Glad to hear you made the move ok. Your new house look's amazing. Your pond look's like my dream pond. And your kid's are all so cute.
On the pond, how long has it been established and stocked before you guys moved in? How big is it overall.
 
doubledragon;3547425; said:
ddyerfamily, it has been a while. I just got my computer back on a little while ago also. Glad to hear you made the move ok. Your new house look's amazing. Your pond look's like my dream pond. And your kid's are all so cute.
On the pond, how long has it been established and stocked before you guys moved in? How big is it overall.
Click to expand...


Hello Hello :)

The pond was redug a few years ago.I think 2 years ago.
The previous owners stocked bass and bluegills.(they are full grown now)
Our friends added the catfish this year.(full grown adults mostly)

The pond has a house sized footprint....have not measure.
I have measured the garden beside it and it is 107 foot long.
So I guess around 100 foot each side cause it is close to round.

Don't know exactly how deap ...our best guess is around 8-10 foot at the deepest.

Thanks for the compliments.I am in Love with this place. :headbang2
 
before you do ANYTHING go to this site they helped me design my plans for a future 5-10 acre Monster Bass pond.
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

large ponds are TOTALLY different from small 500gallon ponds and aquariums. They generally dont need oxygen or to even be fed but feeding makes your fish bigger but they dont NEED to be fed to live. Be careful what you add because it can give your fish parasites, stunt your fishes growth meaning you have to dredge or kill off the ENTIRE POND and start over which could cost you $5,000 PLUS! But if you listen to the people on the site I linked they could help you find a local dealer and you can make your bass fishery better, bluegill better, catfish better or just a bit of all. Thats a nice pond you have btw
 
fishkeeper1;3552241; said:
before you do ANYTHING go to this site they helped me design my plans for a future 5-10 acre Monster Bass pond.
http://www.pondboss.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

large ponds are TOTALLY different from small 500gallon ponds and aquariums. They generally dont need oxygen or to even be fed but feeding makes your fish bigger but they dont NEED to be fed to live. Be careful what you add because it can give your fish parasites, stunt your fishes growth meaning you have to dredge or kill off the ENTIRE POND and start over which could cost you $5,000 PLUS! But if you listen to the people on the site I linked they could help you find a local dealer and you can make your bass fishery better, bluegill better, catfish better or just a bit of all. Thats a nice pond you have btw
Click to expand...


Thanks
I will check out the link.

There is a fish truck that comes around and delivers fish.

I am not sure how many fish are in the pond.How do I know if it needs stocking ?
Also the pond has flooded 2 times in the 5 months I have lived here.
The creek behind my house floods up the road and over into the pond.
I would think the fish could swim away down the creek....:nilly:

The pond over flows into my back yard,making a lake in the yard.:irked:
After the first time it flooded when it finally went down I found dead baby bass all over the backyard.(hundreds) I was mad a all get out....:irked:

I am working on getting the flooding fixed but will take a bulldozer.$$$
Also a drain in the pond to stop the over flow.A over flow pipe to the creek? I am not sure about this part cause the pond is almost level with the flood level of the creek.

We are kicking our selves for not forseeing this problem before we bought the place.The flood waters came within 20 feet of the house !:WHOA:
Our flood insurance is threw the roof !

Any help on this flood problem we have would be great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom